Read Love Collides (Fate's Love #3) for Free Online Page A

was, but one of my old professors got in touch, and I may have mentioned you. They run a great sustainable development program. He'd be overseeing your research. This is a great opportunity, Staci, and you can travel back and forth. We don't want to lose you; you know that." His eyes flashed with sincerity.
    Gliding my fingers over the envelope, I hugged it to me. "Wow, I- I don't know what to say. I have friends in that part of Florida." Best friends .
    "There's just one snag, and before you argue with me on this one, just hear me out. Late registration is in two weeks. You'd need to haul ass back to the States this week. But I negotiated you an extended break over the holidays to come back out and hand over your work with the Umpalas. I know you won't want to leave before Camila has the baby-"
    "No way. A week will not give me enough time. I have my classes at the school, and they're installing the well beginning of next week, and Camila could give birth anytime..."
    I couldn't miss that. Or just up and abandon my kids at the school. They needed me. Camila needed me.
    "Staci, Kero, or one of the volunteers can pick up your classes, and I'm pretty sure the guys installing the well know what they're doing. Doctor Pengala thinks Camila is going to go full term. We have this. It's okay to let go."
    But that was the problem; I didn't want to let go. I'd spent four years helping get this village back on its feet after the devastation of the floods. It was as good as home to me.
    "This is a great opportunity. For you. For the project. Think about it. But don't take too long. I need your answer by tomorrow."
    With a slight nod, I clasped the envelope in one hand and excused myself. This was huge. Since graduating the University of South Florida four years ago, I'd only been back on American soil a handful of times. Most recently was for Livy's wedding. Sure, I visited Dad and my three brothers occasionally, but I had no desire to be holed up back in Kaplan. I didn’t want to live under their noses where they could interfere and keep tabs on me.
    My family wasn’t bad people; they were okay as far as families went. It was just that growing up in an all-male household as the youngest sibling of three brothers wasn't easy. They were as overbearing as they came, and Dad quickly dashed any chances of me being a normal girl when he made Joel and Tanner, my older twin brothers, escort me to my first school dance. I didn't bother after that. Girls only wanted to be my friend to get close to them, and guys avoided me like the plague because they were scared of them.
    But Drew wasn't offering me a chance to go home—he was offering me a chance to put down temporary roots in the town where some of my best friends lived. Something I never really had. Except Livy. She was the exception, but I'd still only known her since college.
    As I followed the hallway to the single, small room I'd lived in for the last four years, my mind flooded with possibilities. Drinks with the girls, shopping, trips out to the beach. All of the things I never experienced growing up. The thoughts were bittersweet.
    As soon as I kicked the door shut, I peeled the damp blouse from my skin and padded into the tiny bathroom. It had been almost four weeks since I had taken a decent shower. After you washed him off you. The thought came out of left field, punching me in the gut. I'd left the hotel that morning and headed straight for the airport, but not before my eyes collided with his. Infuriatingly gorgeous and cocky Kade Ford.
    Letting the cool water trickle over my clammy skin, I allowed myself to remember. He worked my body as a sculptor worked his clay, with delicate precision and undivided attention. Pressing my head against the uneven tiles, I forced him out. If I was going to take the offer to study at UF, I had to find a way to resist him. Our paths would cross; it was inevitable. But I couldn't allow myself another moment of weakness with him. Because I felt